Protective canopy

ABSTRACT

A protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure has two symmetrical side portions seamlessly defining a pitched portion between them to form a protective canopy over an opening. A flange portion is integrally formed at a right angle to the side and pitched portions and adapted to provide an attachment means for the canopy. The canopy may be applied before applying siding or applied to an existing wall using a gasket. Side and pitched portions include a plurality of decorative ridges. The canopy is made of a weather-resistant material like plastic that may be added to the pigment during manufacture or applied as paint by the user on site.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 61/160,748, filed Mar. 17, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water damage can be very expensive and difficult to repair when the water is allowed to penetrate the siding of a house. When unwanted water reaches within the structural components of a house, mold and wood rot can occur. Areas especially prone to this kind of damage are found at doors and windows because by necessity openings must be cut into the protective siding or other exterior surface in order to install these necessary components in a house or building.

There is a need for a protective canopy that can be used to protect openings in building such as doors and windows that is weather-proof, easy to install and long lasting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure has two symmetrical side portions seamlessly defining a pitched portion between them to form a protective canopy over an opening. A flange portion is integrally formed at a right angle to the side and pitched portions and adapted to provide an attachment means for the canopy. The canopy may be applied before applying siding or applied to an existing wall using a gasket. Side and pitched portions include a plurality of decorative ridges. The canopy is made of a weather-resistant material like plastic that may be added to the pigment during manufacture or applied as paint by the user on site.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an over opening canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the over opening canopy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the over opening canopy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the over opening canopy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the over opening canopy shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing of the over opening canopy shown in FIG. 1 with a gasket.

FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing of a typical installation of the over opening canopy applied to an existing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective drawing of a typical installation of the over opening canopy applied to a new structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, an over opening canopy 100 comprises a side portion 105 joined to a flange 115. Side portion 105 is formed to protect an opening and includes two symmetric vertical portions adjoined to an angled portion that defines a pitched surface. Side portion 105 is symmetric from the center of the pitch. Canopy 100 is made of durable, flexible weather-resistant plastic. The plastic material is manufactured to accept paint applied by a user in the field. Alternatively color may be added to the plastic or factory coated during manufacture to match a particular color scheme. Of course other materials are acceptable as long as they provide sufficient resistance to the weather such as but not limited to aluminum or other metal, composite material or fiberglass.

Side portion 105 has decorative ridges designed to enhance the aesthetic look of canopy 100 as well as helping to break up water flow. Of course canopy 100 could be made without the decorative ridges without departing from the spirit of the instant invention. Additionally, side portion 105 provides shade from the sun in addition to water and snow protection. A plurality of attachment holes 110 may be used to attach flange 100 to a structure. Canopy 100 may be custom ordered to fit a specific installation or may be manufactured in a selection of popular sizes to fit windows, doors, garage doors and other openings.

Referring now to FIG. 6, canopy 100 is shown being installed with a gasket 120 that is used to weather-proof the installation. Gasket 120 is a rubber or rubber like material such as plastic or other suitable material as is known in the art. Gasket 120 may be factory applied or applied on site during installation. Gasket 120 may have a self-sticking adhesive applied with a protective covering that is user removed when installing. A plurality of gasket installation holes 125 are provided to allow fasteners such as screws or nails to be used to install canopy 100. Installation holes 110 are aligned with gasket installation holes 125.

Now referring to FIG. 7, canopy 100 is applied over a door 210. In this embodiment, canopy 100 is being applied to and existing structure. Flange 115 is applied over an external wall siding 220 with gasket 120 (not shown) installed to weather-proof the installation.

Referring now to FIG. 8, canopy 100 is shown applied in a new construction with flange 115 (not shown) installed beneath exterior wall siding 220 over door 210.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure comprising: a first side portion being symmetrically aligned with a second side portion seamlessly defining a pitched portion therebetween; and a flange portion integrally formed at a right angle to said first and second side portion and pitched portion; said flange portion being adapted to fit against a portion of said structure.
 2. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 1 further comprising a gasket adapted to fit between said flange portion and said structure.
 3. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of holes disposed in said flange portion and said gasket and a fastening means for attaching said canopy to said structure.
 4. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 1 whereby said flange portion is adapted to fit underneath a siding portion of said structure.
 5. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of grooves adapted to channel rain therein.
 6. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 3 whereby said fastening means are screws.
 7. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 3 whereby said fastening means are nails.
 8. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 2 whereby said gasket is pre-attached to an exposed surface of said flange portion.
 9. The protective canopy for protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 8 whereby said gasket has a self sticking side that is covered with a removable protective sheet that is user removed during installation.
 10. A method of protecting an opening in a structure comprising the steps of: obtaining a protective canopy; said protective canopy comprising a first side portion being symmetrically aligned with a second side portion seamlessly defining a pitched portion therebetween; and a flange portion integrally formed at a right angle to said first and second side portion and pitched portion; and said flange portion being adapted to fit against a portion of said structure; positioning said canopy over said opening; and attaching said canopy to said structure using a fastening means.
 11. The method of protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 10 further comprising the step of placing a gasket between said canopy and said structure before the step of attaching said canopy to said structure.
 12. The method of protecting an opening in a structure according to claim 10 further comprising the step of attaching a siding material over said flange portion after the step of attaching said canopy to said structure. 